Whether you are particularly into fashion or not, clothing is an essential part of our everyday lives.
So, if you’re learning Japanese, it’s important to know the most common words to talk about clothes in Japanese!
Japan is well known for its unique and innovative clothing styles, with Tokyo being regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world!
If you are headed to Japan, it’s a great opportunity to shop for good quality, interesting pieces. Of course in this digital age, online shopping for Japanese brands is also an option.
Whichever the case may be, knowing some Japanese clothing vocabulary will be a helping hand in finding your perfect outfit!
Check out the tables below to expand on your Japanese vocabulary on clothes.
Don’t be intimidated by the length of these lists, as you will notice that many of the words are written in katakana, indicating that the term is a loan word that has been borrowed from English (or another language). Easy peasy!
Note: this lesson is about basic, everyday clothing vocabulary. If you want to learn more about traditional Japanese clothing such as kimono, yukata and hakama, check this post!
Outerwear (アウター / あうたー)
Autaa (アウター / あうたー) is borrowed from its English namesake ‘outerwear’.
| English | Kanji / Katakana | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Sweater | セーター | せーたー | seetaa |
| Cardigan | カーディガン | かーでぃがん | kaadigan |
| Jacket | ジャケット | じゃけっと | jyaketto |
| Coat | コート | こーと | kooto |
| Raincoat | レインコート | れいんこーと | reinkooto |
| Blazer | ブレザー | ぶれざー | burezaa |
| Hoodie | パーカー | ぱーかー | paakaa |
| Denim jacket | デニムジャケット | でにむじゃけっと | denimu jyaketto |
| Trench coat | トレンチコート | とれんちこーと | torenchi kooto |
Tops (トップス / とっぷす)
Toppusu (トップス / とっぷす) of course comes from the English term ‘tops’, ie clothing which is worn on the top half!
| English | Kanji / Katakana | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Shirt | シャツ | しゃつ | shatsu |
| T-shirt | Tシャツ | Tシャツ | T shatsu |
| Blouse | ブラウス | ぶらうす | burausu |
| Polo shirt | ポロシャツ | ぽろしゃつ | poro shatsu |
| Vest (waistcoat) | ベスト | べすと | besuto |
| Tank top | タンクトップ | たんくとっぷ | tanku toppu |
| Camisole | キャミソール | きゃみそーる | kyamisooru |
| Jersey | ジャージー | じゃーじー | jaajii |
| Jumper / sweatshirt | スエット | すえっと | suetto |
Bottoms (ボトムス / ぼとむす)
Botomsu (ボトムス / ぼとむす) is the Japanese term for ‘bottoms’, referring to any clothing worn on our lower half.
| English | Kanji / Katakana | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Bottoms / trousers | ズボン | ずぼん | zubon |
| Jeans | ジーンズ | じーんず | jiinzu |
| Shorts | ショートパンツ | しょーとぱんつ | shooto pantsu |
| Skirt | スカート | すかーと | sukaato |
| Tracksuit bottoms / sweatpants | スエットパンツ | すえっとぱんつ | suetto pantsu |
| Cargo pants | カーゴパンツ | かーごぱんつ | kaago pantsu |
| Slacks | スラックス | すらっくす | surakkusu |
Other (その他 / そのた)
While sono ta (その他 / そのた) is not solely a clothing term, it means ‘other’, and is used to refer to objects which do not fit in the categories previously outlined. (その他 is also sometimes pronounced as そのほか, sono hoka).
| English | Kanji / Katakana | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Dress (casual) | ワンピース | わんぴーす | wanpiisu |
| Dress (fancy) | ドレス | どれす | doresu |
| Suit | スーツ | すーつ | suutsu |
| Pajama | パジャマ | ぱじゃま | pajyama |
| Swimsuit | 水着 | みずぎ | mizugi |
| Overalls | サロペット | さろぺっと | saropetto |
| Jumpsuit | オールインワン | おーるいんわん | ooru in wan |
| Underwear | 下着 | したぎ | shita gi |
| Socks | 靴下 / ソックス | くつした / そっくす | kutsu shita / sookusu |
Footwear (履物 / はきもの)
Haki mono (履物 / はきもの) directly translates as ‘things which are put on feet’. Depending on the type of clothing you are putting on, the verb which you use to do so will differ. In the case of shoes, we use the verb haku.
| English | Kanji / Katakana | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Shoes | 靴 / シューズ | くつ / しゅーず | kutsu / shuuzu |
| Boots | ブーツ | ぶーつ | buutsu |
| Trainers / sneakers | スニーカー | すにーかー | suniikaa |
| Sandals | サンダル | さんだる | sandaru |
| High heels | ハイヒール | はいひーる | haihiiru |
Accessories (アクセサリー / あくせさりー)
Akusesarii (アクセサリー / あくせさりー) is the Japanese word for… you guessed it, ‘accessory’!
| English | Kanji / Katakana | Hiragana | Romaji |
| Hat | 帽子 | ぼうし | boushi |
| Scarf | マフラー | まふらー | mafuraa |
| Gloves | 手袋 | てぶくろ | tebukuro |
| Glasses | メガネ | めがね | megane |
| Sunglasses | サングラス | さんぐらす | sangurasu |
| Wristwatch | 腕時計 | うでどけい | ude dokei |
| Necklace | ネックレス | ねっくれす | nekkuresu |
| Bracelet | ブレスレット | ぶれすれっと | buresuretto |
| Earrings | ピアス | ぴあす | piasu |
| Clip-on earrings | イアリング | いありんぐ | iaringu |
| Ring | 指輪 | ゆびわ | yubiwa |
| Bag | バッグ | ばっぐ | baggu |
| Belt | ベルト | べると | beruto |
Now you can talk about clothing in Japanese!
Words for clothes in Japanese are essential Japanese vocabulary words for beginners!
Luckily, as you’ve seen, lots of these words are loan words from English – so it’s not as hard as you might think!
Want to learn more simple Japanese words and phrases? Our top recommended course is JapanesePod101. You can get fun beginners lessons completely free!
JapanesePod101 is our top recommendation to learn Japanese online. We love the fun, current audio lessons and interactive online tools. Sign up for your free lifetime account and see for yourself!
Related posts
- How to Talk About Your Daily Routine in Japanese
- Your Complete Guide to Traditional Japanese Clothing: Kimono, Yukata, Hakama and More
- Japan’s Wildest Fashion Styles and Subcultures (and the Stories Behind Them)
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Hannah is a half Irish/half Japanese girl living in Ireland. Her love for Japan and the Japanese language led her to studying languages and translation in university where she specialised in Japanese. She spent a year studying abroad at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys using her sewing machine to upcycle clothes and create new pieces!